Implementation of a community pharmacy-based influenza vaccination program.
OBJECTIVE
To increase accessibility of influenza vaccine in a rural community by establishing a community pharmacy-based influenza vaccination program.


METHODS
An independent pharmacy in a rural eastern Iowa community of 5,000 people.


METHODS
Protocols for identification and screening of patients, administration of vaccine, and treatment of emergencies were developed by the pharmacist and approved by the county health department medical director. Administration of vaccine began October 15, 1996, and was completed on December 6, 1996.


METHODS
Patients were prospectively and retrospectively identified to receive the vaccination. Informed consent was obtained. Vaccine was administered by the pharmacist after screening for contraindications and counseling the patient. Weekly vaccination records were forwarded to the collaborating physician to update patient charts.


METHODS
To determine whether accessibility of influenza vaccine in the community was increased through pharmacist administration, the proportion of patients immunized in the pharmacy who were not vaccinated the previous year was determined.


RESULTS
The pharmacist administered 343 doses of vaccine. Two-thirds of the immunized patients (67.9%) reported also being immunized the previous year. These patients were generally older (65 years of age +/- 13) than the previously nonimmunized patients (54 years of age +/- 16). However, 60.8% of the patients not immunized the previous year reported either they would not have gone elsewhere for the immunization (45.3%), or were unsure (25.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The data collected suggest that pharmacist administration of influenza vaccination in a rural community pharmacy increases access and, possibly, immunization rates. This may be especially true among high-risk younger adults who are often overlooked and would not normally have received the immunization.
Ernst
M E
ME
Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA. michael-ernst@uiowa.edu
Chalstrom
C V
CV
Currie
J D
JD
Sorofman
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010595:Pharmacists; D010820:Physicians; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012424:Rural Population
D007252:Influenza Vaccines